I had begun using Mandrake, but within a day or two I realized that I wasn't really in control of everything, that many decisions had already been made by the distro that I didn't really understand. I then heard about source-based distros and Sorcerer in particular. I downloaded the iso, got it burned, installed it and immediately liked what I saw.

My background in tech had started with a sales job for a software developer/reseller/hardware reseller in Fresno, CA. We were using CP/M and TurboDOS operating systems on Kaypros and IMS brand systems. IMS was an S100 bus type system that used TurboDOS. I learned to do most things for myself, became an installer, trainer and ultimately a consultant. The company evolved to Novell Netware and after rewriting all their software in Delphi, went to Win2000/SQLServer 2000.

My personal migration of OS's went to OS/2, Win98, Win2000 and then Linux.

What future do you personally see for SMGL?

I enjoy how it operates now. I don't want it to become the Linux of the masses. I want it to grow, but within its evisioned niche.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Education/Career/Skills?

My education came after my career. I started as a teacher of Transcendental Meditation, then did various jobs for a few years, then began selling audio systems until, one day, I had the realization that I needed to sell something that didn't require lying as part of the job description. After some thought, I realized that I had to choose a product/service that was inherently complex and therefore "hard" to sell. I chose computers because, though I knew nothing about them, I figured that very few sales types could really do it.

I've been in tech since that revelation in 1982 until I decided to return to school in the Fall of 2003. I've gotten a BA in Management in 2005 and will receive my MBA in July of 2006. Currently I'm preparing for the Certified Management Accountant test.

After I graduate, my wife and I will be moving to California.

Skills?! We don't need no stinking skills? Actually, I've got a private pilot's license, can write some SQL queries, can design databases, know accounting, quite good with Excel, have some html and am learning how to work with spells!

Any personal messages for the Source Mage users out there?

I really like how civil and helpful the community is and want it to stay that way.

What other OS programs/software have you worked on?

As a project? Only Source Mage in open source. Commercially, I worked for or was a dealer for Argos Software in Fresno, CA for over 20 years. I helped in the area of requirement gathering and spec writing for their vertical market ERP system.

Flamewars

vi or emacs?

Neither. My favorite editor was EditPlus on Windows, but haven't found one like it for linux. I haven't looked recently, so I use nano with ruskie's highlighting for now.

KDE or GNOME?

e17. I tried gnome first, then kde, then xfce4, and finally e17. The last two have been the best.

BSD or GPL?

I like the notions that Richard Stallman and Eric S. Raymond promote. Having said that, I will use whatever software works.

Strictly personal

Do you have any family?

Just my wife and I. I have sisters and parents in Sacramento along with hundreds of more distant relations in California.

I ride my motorcycle, a 1983 Honda Nighthawk CB650SC, and we have a 1992 Honda Accord. We would love to get a hybred/fuel cell/hydrogen powered vechicle when we can afford it. I'd love to own an airplane, if cost were no obsticle a Cirrus SR202, and I want a Yamaha FRJ1300.